Would-be ATV buyer drives off without paying in latest Craigslist theft in Southbridge

Monday

Feb 25, 2013 at 8:00 PMFeb 25, 2013 at 10:50 PM

TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

A Connecticut man who had advertised his four-wheeler for sale on Craigslist drove two hours to meet a local buyer — who then drove off with the all-terrain vehicle and never returned, police said.

Police said they tracked down the suspect, whom they identified as Hector D. Soto, 25, of 68 Fairlawn Ave., Apt. 3. He pleaded not guilty Friday in Dudley District Court to receiving stolen property valued at more than $250.

Mr. Soto’s pretrial hearing is April 8. A Spanish interpreter has been requested.

Police said the advertiser told them on Feb. 4 he had come to Southbridge from Shelton, Conn., south of Waterbury, to sell his ATV, a 2006 Yamaha Blaster he had advertised on Craigslist for $1,500.

The advertiser said he made arrangements to meet a would-be buyer at 281 Marcy St.He said he drove two hours because the buyer had offered $1,600, $100 more than his asking price.

When he arrived, the man was standing alone with a black hooded sweatshirt, jeans, and Timberland boots.

The owner said he started the ATV and drove it in a circle on the street. The prospective buyer asked if he could take it for a ride down the street.

The seller agreed but held onto the certificate of origin, similar to a motor vehicle title, as a security measure.

The prospective buyer rode the ATV along Marcy Street and took a left onto Hartwell Street, where the owner lost sight of him. He waited five to 10 minutes before calling police.

Later, police got a tip that a stolen ATV was stored at a set of garages on Fairlawn Avenue. Police went to the garage Thursday. They said Mr. Soto admitted he was renting the garage, but told them he had bought the ATV from a man in Springfield in January. Police said Mr. Soto had paperwork that was clearly fake.

According to the warrant, Southbridge police are investigating approximately eight thefts in recent months involving Craigslist advertisements.